Liiga 2025–26: Early Title Favorites
The 2025–26 Liiga season arrives with KalPa defending their historic first championship, traditional giants Tappara and Ilves eager to reclaim supremacy, and a deep field ready to challenge for the Kanada-malja.
Top Teams by Recent Success & Reliability
| Rank | Team | Recent Achievement | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tappara | 3-time champs since 2022 | Winning pedigree, high reliability as favorites (win rate: 66.9%) |
| 2 | KalPa | Reigning champions (2025) | Cohesive roster, strong playoff run |
| 3 | Ilves | Semifinalists, consistently in top 4 | Deep lineup, overdue for a title |
| 4 | Lukko | 2021 champions, consistent contenders | Balanced offense/defense |
| 5 | SaiPa | 2025 runners-up | Emerging playoff momentum |
| 6 | Pelicans | Back-to-back finals appearances in 2023/24 | Dynamic attack, versatile youth |
| 7 | TPS | Traditional powerhouse | Strong home support, depth |
Contender Snapshots
Tappara: After a rare stumble in 2024–25, they look to bounce back and extend their championship legacy. They remain the league’s most reliable favorite.
KalPa: Fresh off their first Liiga title, hungry for a repeat. Tough to maintain after a Cinderella run, but motivation and talent are high.
Ilves: Longtime powerhouse with a multi-decade title drought (last win: 1985). Strong regular season and playoff-tested core means another challenge is coming.
Lukko: Regular-season top finishers in 2025, strong but must overcome playoff hurdles to turn regular season dominance into championships.
SaiPa & Pelicans: Both seized momentum last season—can they turn recent deep runs into ultimate glory?
Storylines to Watch
- Will KalPa cement a new dynasty after last year’s historic win?
- Can Tappara return to the peak after last season’s rare playoff falter?
- Ilves continues their perennial chase to break a near 40-year title drought.
- Are new contenders like SaiPa and the Pelicans prepared to disrupt the established order?
Outlook
Tappara, KalPa, Ilves, and Lukko stand out as early favorites, but the league’s balance sets the stage for upsets and breakout stars. Expect a fierce battle all season for a spot in the finals and a chance at the Kanada-malja.